After earning its seventh trip to the NCAA Tournament and finishing the 2010 season with a 31-26 overall record, the Auburn softball team is ready to start play and improve on last year.
"There are a lot of upperclassmen coming back, so we have progressed really rapidly because everyone is in the flow and knows what to expect," said head coach Tina Deese. "Practices have been good and enjoyable because they have been bringing a lot of attention to the field."
The Tigers return seven starters and three pitchers, including senior infielder Kyndall White.
The Pinson native is one of four seniors on Auburn's roster and earned Second Team All-SEC honors after hitting .356 with 14 home runs in her junior year.
White enters her senior season in Auburn's career top 10 in slugging percentage (seventh), triples (tied for ninth) and home runs (seventh).
Joining White as a returning starter is sophomore infielder Kelsey Cartwright.
Cartwright started every game while hitting .276 with three home runs, eight doubles and 17 RBI.
"Cartwright has leadership capabilities," Deese said. "We have expected her to be that leader, and I think she is following very well in Kyndall's footsteps. I also think one key factor for all of us is Jenee Loree. She has really stepped up, and I've really been pleased with what she is bringing to the field."
Junior pitcher Loree enters the 2011 season ranked 10th in Auburn history in wins (16), tied for eighth in saves (three), seventh in strikeouts (235) and fifth in strikes per seven innings pitched (six point five).
Loree posted a 4-5 record with a 2.22 earned run average (ERA) in 79.0 innings and finished eighth in the Southeastern Conference in ERA and 19th in opponents batting average (.251).
Auburn has another key returning starter in junior infielder Lauren Guzman.
Guzman currently owns the longest streak of consecutive starts at 116 games.
"Everyone seems really focused," Guzman said. "At first I thought it was because we just started, but it seems to be getting better and better. Our mental game is more there this year."
Auburn is predicted to finish third in the SEC West and sixth overall in the conference by coaches after finishing 11-17 in conference play last year.
"I think what we want to do more than anything is get to a regional, win the regional and get to the super regional for the first time," Deese said. "I think that is a good goal for us to set right now. Of course we have Oklahoma City in our sights, but we are going to take it game-by-game. We want to win all our nonconference games and finish well in the conference and see what we do at the NCAA Regional."
Auburn opens the 2011 season at the All-Alabama Classic Tournament as they face Alabama State Feb. 12-13 at 11 a.m. in Birmingham.
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